Breaks bring a fresh
perspective. Working as a teacher for over one and half decade, with few
breaks in between has garnered various reactions, like the typical why
questions, some saying, ”Oh! You are a teacher! You must be having so many
holidays” (which confused me as to whether they were criticizing the profession
or telling me tell us something we don’t know), to just a nonchalant OH!
But I would say, and the teachers all
around the world would agree, that we are being observed and emulated by very
impressionable minds, and taking a break to rejuvenate, not only physically but
for our extraordinarily-ticking minds, which keep ticking everywhere, thinking
about “their kids” and what can one do to help them become better not only in
academics but better human beings too, is important to say the least.
And hence this break has been welcome
especially for a person who is creatively inclined and is not in a favour of
boundaries. I keep telling my students and teachers and whoever I come across
to think out of the box.
Hence started the rejuvenation
process with numerous things to occupy me, among others reading-it is
absolutely blissful to just sit for hours and not think about work-restarted
with painting, though in spurts, which I am sure all those into any form of art
would agree, is absolutely cathartic. There was something at the back of my
mind, something I always aspired to do was to give back in some way. And there
is no better way than to share ones knowledge.
Hence I started looking around to
volunteer, which has been an integral part of my teaching journey, having
volunteered for different NGOs and done major events with the children like
wall painting among others. Through friends and a few watasapp groups I came to
know about ANGEL XPRESS FOUNDATION. As luck would have it, a new centre had
just begun in ghatkopar. I got in touch with the lead volunteer Jigna and
started my way to the garden. As I went there I saw volunteers teaching these
children maths and English. They were very excited to learn new things and most
of all excited about having new teachers. As I sat with them, with their work
almost over, we decided on narrating a story to them. They listened with
curiosity and concentration. By the end of the session we had bonded well. And
I have not looked back since then!
Every day with these kids helped
unearth something new in me. I could teach without boundaries. (No boundary
person) And this helped me score boundaries for myself! We had hilarious story
telling sessions, and every time the children saw me, they would say “Teacher,
aaj kahani sunaona…hasne wali”(please narrate a funny story). Of
course there were a few of them who loved to mimic my voice, being soft spoken
which may be new to them, having listened to teachers who are loud.
The love and eagerness of the
children helped my creative mind to push the boundaries and make our
interactions as interesting as possible. Apart from the normal reading, writing
and arithmetic, I believe it is important to expose children to as much variety
as possible. Hence we had a nature walk one cloudy morning, which they
thoroughly enjoyed. The children set off on an exploration and found lots of
new things…not only in nature but in themselves too, like observation skills,
excitement to pick up new things on their way, seeing nature from a different
perspective, team work, the confidence to present what they found in sentences
and mostly creativity with which they made the whole project. And not to forget
seeing the happiness in their achievement!
Reflections are an integral part of a
teacher. This experience reinforced my faith in learning in creative ways. As I
continue my search for ways to make learning interesting and in the process
going to school fun, these little experiences help me to keep breaking
boundaries.
I am grateful to AXF for this
opportunity to work along with these children.
My fellow volunteers at the ghatkopar
east centre amaze me every day with their selfless acts as well as their
dedication to make a difference. This is where I see a different side of the
Human spirit where kindness, compassion and the will to bring a positive
difference are the only goals.
As I continued my journey, teaching
and learning, I learnt new facets about AXF and their dedication to take
volunteering to a new level. They have planned meetings and curriculum as well
and hence helps give direction to the whole team of volunteers at every centre.
Cheers to AXF and all the
volunteers who are like guardian angels to the children they teach.
Nidhi Bagaria.
